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Nsawam prisoners blow 2017 BECE, but no SHS for them

Five candidates presented by the Nsawam Medium Prison for this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) passed out successfully.

His call was in relation to the amazing performance of inmates of the Nsawam prison in the last Basic Education Certificate Examination.

According to the prisons service, five candidates presented by the Nsawam Medium Prison for this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) passed out successfully.

It said one candidate passed with distinction while the four others obtained between aggregates 10-15.

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However, despite the splendid performance, the prison service said the inmates’ cannot progress with their education while they remain in the prison, because the services’ educational facilities only end at the Junior High level.

Public Relation Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, DSP Vitalis Aryee said until they finish their prison terms, the brilliant  inmates’ education ends at the BECE.

He said “The Bostal Institute is not a prison but a correctional facility and the kids there are not up to 18 years. They don’t have a record after they have done their time.”

DSP Aryee further explained that, “They are day students and they go to the schools that they were placed and they come back in the evening.”

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Speaking on Accra-based Joy Fm, Jonathan Osei Owusu advocated for establishment of a senior high school at the prisons to enable the inmates proceed with their education.

“This is important so that when they come out they will not go back to the same crime to cut down on the recidivism. Regarding the way forward, I will put the call at the doorstep of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and government.

“For that matter getting one senior high school in the prisons to give access to those who have passed will benefit the state and improve its security.”

Mr. Osei believes the nation will stand to benefit in several ways if much more attention is given to improving the prisons in order to enhance reformation of the inmates.

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“One good thing that will help if we are able to do this is that the inmates have lots of time on their hands and when they are engaged they will be useful to society.

“They can use their time to produce quality things society will use and so if they come out because they are already skilled it will be easy to find jobs and reintegrate.

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